With the end of the first phase in sight – only three matches remain for each club except for Birkirkara and Msida who play their 15th match today – it is obvious that the chase for points is the main concern for all the clubs still interested either at the top or at the bottom of the standings.

So far, only Valletta are ascertained of their place in the Championship Pool, but one of six others will have to join Pieta Hotspurs, Msida St Joseph and Mqabba and play in the Relegation Pool.

At present, Valletta have 31 points from 15 matches, Marsaxlokk are second on 28, Sliema and Floriana are joint third on 27, Hamrun are fifth on 23, Birkirkara follow on 22 and Hibs are one point behind them. Birkirkara, like Msida, have a match in hand.

These two teams will be playing in the first match this afternoon, and it is obvious that both sides will be doing their best to try and obtain the points.

On one hand, Birkirkara need to remain close to the leaders if they are to entertain hopes of remaining in contention for the title, while at the same time, moving steadily away from the Relegation Pool.

Msida, on their part, need more points to get closer to the team who will be joining them (in all probability) in the forthcoming Relegation Pool.

The second match today is the match of the week and here we find leaders Valletta facing third placed Sliema Wanderers who are aware of the situation. In fact, the Blues know that a defeat will send them seven points away from Valletta and that would make their task in the Championship Pool much more difficult that they might expect.

Marsaxlokk, who meet Mqabba tomorrow, and Floriana, inactive this weekend, will be waiting eagerly and hoping for a Sliema win this afternoon so that they will be able to get closer to the leadership.

The citizens, on their part, will be looking for another victory to continue with their present relentless march at the top. After the Juventus boost, Valletta went on to conquer Hamrun Spartans so convincingly last week. Today, to add to Sliema’s worries, they will also have skipper and star schemer Gilbert Agius back among their ranks after having missed the match against the Spartans through suspension.

Valletta started the season on a quiet note, but as time goes by, the side is clicking merrily and playing much better. With Monesterolo back in his best form, they have become the most fearful side in the Premier League.

Sliema, however, will not be easy opponents for the citizens. Coach Stephen Azzopardi has enough talent in his squad to give any team a strong challenge and the citizens are no exception.

The Blues seem to have made a good midfield capture in Andre Rocha da Silva and they now eagerly expect newcomer Carlos Eduardo Ventura, another Brazilian, to replace Alexsandar Madzar successfully in attack. He is expected to make his debut today for the Wanderers.

Tomorrow, Marsaxlokk will also be expected to maintain their splendid recent run of success as they take on bottom-placed Mqabba.

The champions also had a troublesome start to the season, but now they seem to have gone into top gear and it has become difficult for any team to beat them. Brian Talbot’s side have extended their squad with the signature of Alexsandar Madzar from Sliema and his signing will definitely strengthen their striking ranks.

Also tomorrow, Hibernians seem to have a pretty good opportunity of making a comeback and start their climb from seventh position as they take on last from bottom Pieta Hotspurs.

The Paolites have gone through a miserable run of late and from Championship contenders, they have finished in seventh place, fighting to avoid playing in the Relegation Pool, rather than fighting for the title. However, when points are divided by half at the end of this first phase, it could be a totally different story, especially this season.

They will certainly be boosted with the return to their attack of Terence Scerri after his one-match suspension, but they will have to play much better than they did recently if they are to make an impact.

The Paolites are lucky in the sense that in this match they will be facing a Pieta side which seems to be demoralised after some poor performances. The Hotspurs are now almost resigned to their fate, as it seems evident that they will be playing in the Relegation Pool.